Narrow beam receiving antenna



Oct. 21, .1952

P. KENNEBECK NARROW BEAM RECEIVING ANTENNA 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Dec. 3. 1948 v v 3mm:

' (Ittomeg Oct. 21, 1952 P. A. KENNEBECK NARROW BEAM RECEIVING .ANTENNA 2 saws-4mm 2 Filed Dec. 3, 1948 (Ittomeg Patented Got. 21, 1952 UNITED STATES OFFICE NARROW BEAM RECEIVING ANTENNA Paul A. Kennebeck, Grand Prairie, Tex. Application December3, 1948, Serial No. 63,225

Claims. l

This invention relates to radio, television and the like and more particularly it is an object of the invention to provide a narrow beam receiving antenna, capable of functioning with great sensitivity and high fidelity.

It is a particular object of the instant invention to provide a device for receiving electrical signals directed toward it and coming in contact with it, the device being adapted for use with the Electrode Structure for Vacuum Tubes of my prior Patent No. 2,607,016 issued August 12, 1952.

Another object of the invention is to provide a receiver which is particularly valuable for use with radar equipment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a receiving antenna which will preserve the shape of the wave form of a returning radar wave, which waves have the shape of the surface of an object they are reflected from, thus facilitating the identification of such objects.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a beam-receiving antenna as described which is highly sensitive to weak signals, having an amplification factor in the receiving element.

' Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a receiving antenna as described which is compact in size.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of an antenna as described especially adapted for high frequencies andultra-high frequencies which are received with greater fidelity and definition. 1

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of an anode or receiving element for a receiving antenna, the anode having protrusions on its receiving surface which are pointed and preferably conically shaped at their outer ends.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a receiving antenna which is capable of receiving a physically narrow beam signal and an antenna which can be adjusted to a directional beam.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a sensitive beam-receiving antenna, as described, constructed so that many such antennae can be located next to each other in horizontal or vertical rows or in other configurations on the same tower or building, Without interfering with each other.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of a receiving antenna as described, making additional beam channels available, thus reducingthe costper-channel;

Other objects of the invention are to provide an antenna as described in the use of which telephone, telegraph, television and other dilTerent types of services can be separated; with which less costly towers and equipment are made practical; which may be used on relay towers, terminal stations and in connection with homereceiving radio and television sets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the purpose described which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Other and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal section of the new device and depicting a diagrammatic representation of certain electrical instrumentalities employed in conjunction therewith;

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, the View being taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1.

- Figure 4 is a vertical section similar to Figure 1 taken through a modification of the receiver, the modification having parallel spaced apart cathode portions, other parts of Figure 4 being similar to other parts of Figure 1 and some such parts are not shown in Figure 4;

Figure 5 is a view-in-section along the line 55 of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a view in section taken along the line 66 of Figure 5.

Referring to Figure 1, 10 indicates the transmitter'of my above-described co-pending application, the said transmitter being adapted to transmit signals in a narrow channel.

The receiver of the instant invention is generally indicated at l l and it will be understood that in actual practice the receiver II is disposed approximately 30 miles from the transmitter H3.

The beam of the transmitted signals is indicated at H in dotted lines. The receiver ll includes a cylindrical housing or envelope [2, formed of suitable insulating material, glass being preferred. A cover or base i3 is attached to one end of the housing 52, the member 13 also being formed of insulating material.

The cover I3 and housing l2 together form a frame 'forthe receiver.

Across the opposite end of the frame or housing I2, a glass signal receiving cover portion I4 of the housing I2 is provided. Glass is preferably employed since it is transparent as is essential for the signal II to pass therethrough and glass is preferably employed since it has mechanical strength. The housing cylinder I2 is formed of a suitable material such as glass which will not prohibit the action of a certain later described focusing coil.

As thus described, it will be seen that an envelope or housing I2 is provided and the latter i evacuated by causing the air to be withdrawn therefrom during manufacture. of the new de:

vice.

Within the housing I2 a plate I5- is provided which is secured to the insulation 13 by any suitable means, such as the legs I6. The plate I5 is connected to a wire I! which is preferably in the form of a conventional co-axial cable. The plate. or anode I5 with the protrusions I8 is the electron and signal receiving element.

On the plate I5 a. multiplicity of protrusions 1.8 are provided, the. latter being in. the form. of tapered cones. as shown.

The protrusions [8: are preferably in the shape of cones. It is. desirablethat their terminal ends be pointed and that the surfaces thereof be ta.- pered to smaller outer ends. Although the protrusions. t8. are preferably of. conical shape, pro trusions of other shapes; may also be. used with less eificient results. The. protrusions. 18: preferably extend outwardly from. the plate. I5 at a right angle and are, disposed with their axes. preferably in parallelismv with the incoming beams.

Within the housing I2 thus provided. an annular heating element I9 is disposed. The terminal ends 2I and 22 of. the heating. element I9 are, respectively connected to. the electrical con.- ductors. or wires 23- and 24,. said wires. extending to a suitable source of electrical energy such as the battery 25,. whereby, at, times when a. switch, not shown, is closed, a circuit is closed through the, heating element [9 and the source. 25 for causing the heating element to emit heat.

Partially surrounding, and adjacent to the heating element I 9,. a cathode 26; is provided; the latter, as. shown in Figure l, is of ring shape in plan whereby the. cathode 26 becomes heated at times when the, said circuit is closed through the source of electrical energy .25..

The ring cathode 26 is disposed concentric with respect to the axis of the plate I5, co-axially with respect to the plate I5 and with respect to. the beam II from the instrument I0 and the oathode has at least one aperture therethrough.

The cathode 26 is coated with, oxide coating 21 or a similar suitable metallic oxide. The cathode 26 is maintained in its said position by means of insulating stays or supports 28 secured to the cover portion l4.

An annular focusing coil' 29 is provided having a suitable number of turns of wire; the coil 29 being carried by and disposed outwardly of the. cylinder I2.

Certain end edge windings 39 of the: coil 29 are disposed adjacent to the cathode. The. opposite end edge windings, 3I of; the. coil 29 aredisposed towards the plate I5, whereby the major portion of the coil is disposed between the said plate and cathode.

The terminal ends of the focusing coil 29 are in electrical communication, at times,, .witha further source of electrical; energy such, as. that source indicated at 32 and through the conductors or wires 33 and 34.

That end of the wire 34 which is not connected to the coil 29 is in electrical communication with a variable rheostat 35, the latter being disposed between the wire 34 and the source of the electrical energy 32 for purposes later described.

The cathode 26 is provided with a lead wire 36 which. extends to a further suitable source of electrical energy 31". The heretofore mentioned co-axial cable I! extends through the cover I3 and is in communication with a primary coil 39;; of a transformer 39 and a wire 49 extends from the other end of the coil 38 to the source The. secondary coil 4| is the output circuit and is connected to other apparatus commonly used in signal transmission.

The function of the variable resistance or rheostat. 3-5 istevary'the effect: of the choke or focusingcoil 29,

It is essential. to the: operation of the device that the sources of electrical energy 25,, 32 and 31 be separate sources. In other words,v a single battery cannot be. used for they three circuits.

In operation, it. will be seen that radio signals II. coming from. a. distant transmitter will pass through the center of the circular cathode 25'.

The signal will then. come into contact with the protrusions I'8j of the plate I5; and a stream of electrons, 80, will travel from the cathode 25" to the protrusionsv l8 in a usual manner, under the influence of the focusing coil" 29.

The described. antenna is extra. sensitive to an incoming signal, becausev the signal comes directly in contact with a stream of electrons in the enlarged vacuum tube, instead of the signal" being received" through a wire or rod antenna.

A decidedly'wea'k signal that could not excite a wire or rod antenna, can be picked up-by this new sensitive receiver andamplified' inthe first contact with the stream of electrons. The tube is a vacuum; devoid of air, and since thestream of electrons flows from the-cathode to the plate it creates a negative pull or anelectrical suction-3 which adds tothe sensitivity of the tube.

In beam transmission between towers, thesigjnal has-been known: to fade or attenuate due to atmospheric conditions, etc. By the: use of the; narrow. beamv transmitter described i'n my copending patent application titled Narrow Beam Directional Transmitters, Serial Number 61,497, filed- November 22; 1 948, now abandoned; together with the narrow: beam receiving antenna, de scribed in this application, thefading or attenuationof the signal will be" minimized or eliminated.

The sensitive receiving antenna described here in is for receiving adirectional beam. This sensitive receiver can be used to receive radarsi gnalsand in general any radio signals.

The conical surfaces or protuberances on the plate provide a greater square surface area than a: fiat surface. They'- also reduce thereflection losses and reactances and will receive more electrons than-a fiat surface.

A plate having conical surf-aces will receive; amplify; and transmit, television and radar signalswith a high degree of definition and fidelity, giving effect to depth, proportion; and outline.

A modification of this sensitive antennawill permit it-to be usediirr a.360 degree azi'muth-and; universally used as an antenna. for: all radar; radio television and other purposes.-

With respect to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the latter depict a modification of the previously described narrow beam receiving antenna. All parts of the modified form shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 are identical with those parts previously described with certain exceptions. Because of this, all similar parts of the modification of Figure 4 are given the same numbers as the corresponding parts shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4- shows a modified cathode which is held adjacent the end section M of the housing l2 by modified holders 28' which are very similar except in size to the holders 28 of the modification of Figure 1. In the modification of Figure 4, the cathode, which will be there called 26', is of a shape having parallel portions 26', which are disposed spaced apart with respect to each other for permitting the beam 1 l'to pass therebetween.

The cathode 26 is disposed having a generally circular outline with the cathode portions 26" being extended back and forth in the said circular outline for providing the plurality of parallel spaced apart cathode portions 26''.

The cathode 26' is provided with a heating element I9, which is identical in every respect to the aforedescribed heating element l9 with the exception that the element 19' zig-zags back and forth within the cathode 26' and is concentric with the cathode 26' and spaced apart therefrom.

As best shown in Figure 6, the cathode. 26' may be provided with a coating 21' similar to the coating 21, if desired.

The heating element I9 is maintained spaced apart from .the cathode 26' by a plurality of spaced apart insulating triangular members 50 one of which is illustrated in Figure 6.

In operation, the modified cathode shown in Figure 5, will permit the incoming signal from a transmitter to pass between its spaced apart parallel portions, coming in contact with the protrusions [8 of the plate [5; a stream of electrons traveling from the cathode 26 to the protrusions IS in a usual manner, under the influence of the focusing coil 29.

The modification shown in Figure 4 will provide a different pattern of the electron stream flowing from the cathode to the plate.

The incoming signal II enters in the spaces between the rows of the cathode 26' and modulates thestream of electrons.

The general idea is to provide a sensitive receiving apparatus to receive weak signals and transmit and amplify them. The two methods shown in Figure l and Figure i provide a source of electrons flowing to the plate, which is modulated by the entering signal. Both methods have merit and are variations in line with the general idea.

In Figure 5 the cathode 26' is shown in heavy outline. These horizontal parts of the cathode can be narrower than shown, if desired, to provide greater spaces between the horizontal parts of the cathode 26'.

The use of the conical surfaces or protuberances on the anode or plate, provides better reception and transmission of the signal, than does an anode with a fiat surface, when linearity, signal wave shape, and the speed and direction of travel of the fiow of electrons are considered.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a narrow beam receiving antennae constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andffacility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious th'atmy invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to, beunderstood as limiting myself to the. precise arrangement and formationof the several parts herein. shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as claimed. I

Iclaim: 1 i

l. A receiving antennae comprisin an evacuated housing having a signal receiving portion therein, a plate mounted in said housing, said plate having a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly on one side thereof, said protrusions each being of conicalshape with their outer ends pointed; a cathode secured to said housing, said cathode being disposed spaced apart from that side of saidplate on which said protrusions are disposed, said cathode having at least one aperture therethrough for permitting signals to pass therethrough in operation to reach said plate, said cathode having a metallic oxide coating; a focusing coil secured to said housing, said focusing coil being disposed around the area between said plate and said cathode; means for heating said cathode; means for energizing said focusing coil; a transformer having primary and secondary coils, one of said coils of the transformer being adapted-as an output circuit, and connected to other receiving apparatus for further transmission, the other coil of said transformer being connected at one of its ends to said plate in the housing, and at its opposite end to a source of electrical energy the opposite side of said source of electrical energy being connected to the cathode secured to the housing.

2. A receiving antenna: a housing; a plate mounted in said housing, said plate having a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly on one side thereof; a cathode secured to said housing, said cathode being disposed spaced apart from that side of said plate on which said protrusions are disposed, said cathode having at least one aperture therethrough for permitting signals to pass therethrough in operation to reach said plate; a focusing coil secured to said housing, said focusing coil being disposed around the area be tween said p1ate and said cathode; means for energizing said focusing coil; a transformer having primary and secondary coils, one of said coils of the transformer being adapted as an output circuit and connected to other receiving appara. tus for further transmission; and the other coil of said transformer being connected at one of its ends to said plate in the housing, and at its opposite end to a source of electrical energy, the opposite side of said source of electrical energy being connected to the cathodesecured to the housing.

3. In a receiving antenna: a housing; a plate mounted in said housing, said plate having a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly on one side thereof, a cathode secured to said housing, said cathode being disposed spaced apart from that side of said plate on which said protrusions are disposed, said cathode having at least one aperture therethrough for permitting signals to pass therethrough in operation to reach said plate, said cathode having a plurality of parallel spaced apart portions, and a focusing coil extended around said housing and positioned in a plane located between the said plate and cathode.

4. In a receiving antenna: a housing; a plate 5. In a receiving antenna: an evacuated housing, said housing having a wave signal. receiving portion; a plate mounted in said housing, said plate having a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly on one side thereof, said one side facing said housing portion, said protrusions each being of conical shape-with their outer ends pointed; a cathode secured to said housing, said cathode being disposed spaced apart from that side of said plate on which said protrusions are disposed, said cathode having at least one aperturc therethrough for permitting signals to pass therethrough in operation to reach said plate, said cathode having a plurality of parallel spaced apart portions, said cathode having a metallic oxide coating, said cathode being disposed in alignment with said plate and said housing portion; a focusing coil secured to said housing, said focusing coil being disposed around the area between said plate and said cathode; means for heating said cathode; means for energizing said focusing coil; and asource of electrical energy disposed in communication with said plate and said cathode, said source being separated from said cathode heating means.

6. In a receiving antenna: a housing of a constructionfpermitting the passing of beam signals therethroughf a plate mounted insaid housing, said plate having a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly on one side thereof, said protrusions being tapered to outer ends of lesser size; a cathode secured to said housing, said cathode being, disposed spaced apart from that side of said plate on which said protrusions are disposed, said cathode having at least one aperture therethrough for permitting signals to pass therethrough in operation to reach said plate; a focusing coil secured to said housing, said focusing coil being; disposed around the area between said plate and said cathode; means for energizing said focusing coil; and a source of electrical energy disposed in communication with the said plate and cathode.

7'. In a receiving antenna: an assembly including an evacuated housing, said housing having a wave signal receiving portion; a plate mounted in said housing, said plate having a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly on one side thereof, said one side facing said housing portion, said protrusions being tapered to outer ends. of lesser size; a cathode secured to said housing, said cathode being disposed spaced apartirom that side of. said plate on which said protrusions are; disposed, said cathode having. at least onefaperture therethrough for permitting signals to pass therethro-ugh in operation to reach. said plate, said cathode being disposed in alignment, with, said plate and said housing portion; a focusing coil extended around said housing; and positionedbetween planes extended through the plate and cathode, and means for heating said cathode.

8. In a, receiving antennae, the combination which comprises an evacuated housing including a base and an envelope mounted upon thev base and, sealed, thereto, a plate having elongated conical shaped protrusions extended from. one surface 'spaced. from they base and positionedin the envelope, said protrusions positioned with large ends thereofv integral with the, plate and pointsv thereof extended from the plate, a cathode in the envelope and positioned in a plane parallel to and spaced from the plane of the plate, said cathode being positioned on the side of the plate from which the protrusions extend and having at least one aperture therethrough, a focusing coil extended around said envelope and. positioned between the planes of the plate and cathode, heating means for said cathode, and means for energizing said focusing coil.

9. A receiving antennae as described in claim 8, in Which'independent sources of electrical current are providcdfor the plate, cathode, and focusing coil.

10'. rtqreceiving antennae as described in claim 8, wherein the envelope isv cylindrical and the cathode, which. is of annular shape, is positioned against the inner surface of the end of the envelope opposite to that On which the base is positioned PAUL A. KENNEBECK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 22,450, Smith Feb. 20, 1944 2,038,733 .Jobst Apr. 28, 1936 2,064,469 I-Iaefi Dec. 15, 1936 2,122,538, Potter July 5', 1938 2,205,475 Hollmann June 25, 1940 2,464,006 Tiley Mar. 8, 1949 2,466,063 Varian l. Apr. 5, 1949 2,468,736 Butler. May 3, 1949 2,480,848 Geer Sept. 6, 1949 2,481,839. Goldsmith Sept. 13, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 581,746 Great Britain Oct. 23, 1946 

